Nick Keir
One evening fair I took the air down by the River Forth
for to take my ease and watch the geese fly in squadrons from the North.
And there I spied, all on the tide, I knew in all my life
I had never seen such a gentle queen as the Bonnie Maid of Fife.
Her eyes were like some summer fair, with autumn's wisdom stored.
A man could find more treasure there than in any pirate's hoard.
Her smile so free, as rich as the sea, I knew in all my life,
I had never seen such a gentle queen as the Bonnie Maid of Fife.
And as she danced she sang a tune with a hue so sweet and sad.
Its gentle tones could charm the stones or captivate any lad.
The birds began to tune their voices to set the sky alight,
But their notes were shrill beside the trill of the Bonnie Maid of Fife.
And I have been a traveller bold far off Scotland's gate,
And to Holland and to Noroway I've plied a roving trade.
I've seen fair maids in London town, I've lived a free man's life,
But my hearts full swell is in the spell of the Bonnie Maid of Fife.